BTK signaling drives CD1dhiCD5+ regulatory B-cell differentiation to promote pancreatic carcinogenesis

Oncogene. 2019 Apr;38(17):3316-3324. doi: 10.1038/s41388-018-0668-3. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Abstract

The immune microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is comprised of a heterogeneous population of cells that are critical for disease evolution. Prominent among these are the specialized CD1dhiCD5+ regulatory B (Breg) cells that exert a pro-tumorigenic role by promoting tumor cell proliferation. Dissecting the molecular pathways regulating this immune sub-population can thus be valuable for uncovering potential therapeutic targets. Here, we investigate Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a key B-cell kinase, as a potential regulator of CD1dhiCD5+ Breg differentiation in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. Treatment of cytokine-induced B cells in vitro with the high specificity BTK inhibitor Tirabrutinib inhibited CD1dhiCD5+ Breg differentiation and production of IL-10 and IL-35, essential mediators of Breg immunosuppressive functions. The BTK signaling pathway was also found to be active in vivo in PanIN-associated regulatory B cells. Tirabrutinib treatment of mice bearing orthotopic KrasG12D-pancreatic lesions severely compromised stromal accumulation of the CD1dhiCD5+ Breg population. This was accompanied by an increase in stromal CD8+IFNγ+ cytotoxic T cells and significant attenuation of tumor cell proliferation and PanIN growth. Our results uncover a novel role for BTK in regulating CD1dhiCD5+ Breg differentiation and emphasize its potential as a therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD1d / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
  • CD5 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism*
  • Carcinogenesis / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukins / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1d
  • CD1d antigen, mouse
  • CD5 Antigens
  • Cd5 protein, mouse
  • Interleukins
  • Interleukin-10
  • Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase
  • Btk protein, mouse